May 25, 2011
Secretary Richard K. Sullivan, Jr.
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston MA 02114
Attn: MEPA Office, Aisling Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea
Alan Anacheka-Nasemann
Army Corps of Engineers
696 Virginia Road
Concord, MA 01742-2751
RE: EEA No. 14346
Dear Secretary Sullivan:
WalkBoston appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the South Coast Rail Draft
Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Environmental Impact Report. This important project is
one that could positively impact the mobility of a great many residents of the southern subregion of the Commonwealth.
In terms of advocating for pedestrian service, we are concerned about certain analyses in the
proposal and hope there are explanations for the actions based on them. Because of our
concern, we request that certain points be given further attention during any follow-on
permitting and planning work on the project. These are:
1. A safe walking environment. Construction of any of the options in this report will result in a
need for pedestrian improvements. Differing locations call for distinct approaches to
pedestrian safety. Depending on the location, improvements may include new sidewalks to
complete or connect to a network, signal-timing changes at intersections to allow more time
for pedestrian crossings, passively activated crossing signs at pedestrian crossings,
crosswalk striping, and pedestrian count-down signals. The proposed improvements
included in this report appear to be a first cut. We assume that more measures for
pedestrian safety will be needed and are to be added at a later date. It would be very
helpful if these proposals were outlined.
2. Traffic calming elements are planned for streets in the Town of Easton in association with
one of the alternatives. We would like to know how traffic calming suggestions were
approached and handled in other communities, and what local responses may have been to
such suggestions. Were traffic calming ideas fully explored in relation to each station?
3. Each alternative displaces the use of a specific right of way by pedestrians for recreation
purposes. We trust that there has been study to ascertain the importance of recreational
(and possibly commuting) access in communities where the commuter rail will eliminate
such use. This could be particularly important in communities that do not have alternatives

for recreational opportunities. We wonder if unused rail corridors that are not to become
part of a future commuter rail system can be candidates for permanent trails?
4. There is some confusion about walking distances to stations. A distinction has been made
between a 5 minute walking distance (usually a 0.25 mile distance) and a 0.5-mile
perimeter around proposed stations. See, for example, Figs. 4.4-8 to 4.4-25 and 4.2-8 to
4.2-34 and 4.10-10 to 4.10-32. Why are there differences in the analyses of radius
determination and what impact does it have on pedestrian access?
5. The proposed Battleship Cove Station in Fall River does not seem to be as detailed as
other proposals (Figure 4.5-54). Because of its location adjacent to the marine museum and
downtown, this location seems to be potentially important for tourism, for access to
downtown Fall River and for commuter traffic. Yet it appears to be relegated to part-time
use. What is the explanation for this approach?
6. Fall River access issues need immediate attention irrespective of the process of bringing
new rail or bus access to the South Coast sub-region. We are particularly concerned about
data that show that environmental justice communities in Fall River are already significantly
disadvantaged. The analysis shows that all proposed alternatives would improve access to
jobs for Fall River residents by more than 100% and would improve access to hospitals for
Fall River residents by up to 400% (Fig. 4.4-51). No other community in the south coast
study region has such a large deficiency of access. In the event that the South Coast project
does not move forward, are there any opportunities for ameliorating this situation?
Thank you for the opportunity to offer comments on this project. Please feel free to contact us if
you have any questions.
Sincerely,